This year’s annual Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show, benefitting the Benicia Community Action Council (CAC), rocked the Clocktower with lively Beatle’s tunes and good times. Christina Strawbridge, Chair of the Economic Development Board and owner of Christina S, and Claudia Mahrt, owner of Be Chic Boutique, put on a rollicking good show for the sold-out audience.
A nod to all things British during the month of the Royal Wedding, Strawbridge, who is the creative force behind the decorations and fashion show, chose a 1960’s mod theme, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” While the music blared with Beatle’s classics such as Help, Eleanor Rigby and Strawberry Fields Forever,” the models strutted, danced and hammed it up on the runway to enthusiastic onlookers. After all, how often do you get to see department heads and politicians strut on a runway?
Civic leaders trading business suits for high style included County Supervisor Linda Seifert, Mayor Elizabeth Patterson, Vice Mayor Alan Schwartzman, Councilman Mark Hughes, City Attorney Heather McLaughlin, Acting Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani, Administrative Services Director Anne Cardwell, Library Director Diane Smikahl, Chief Assistant to the BUSD Superintendent Betty Jensen, Arts and Cultural Commission member Patty Gavin and Economic Development Board member Kimble Goodman.
Helen Estes, who works hard in the background to produce the show, says, “For an afternoon event in the middle of the week, we did fantastically well. Our target was to sell 180 tickets and we sold around 200. Between our business sponsors and ticket sales, we netted just over $16,000. The luncheon was catered by Concept Catering by Randy Ramos (former owner of Randy’s Restaurant) who does an excellent job and always comes through. You get more than your money’s worth.”
“We were absolutely thrilled,” said Michele Hughes, CAC Fundraising Treasurer. “The CAC receives grants and support from the City but we rely on fundraising and donations. Our sponsors and the community really came together.”
For an armchair version of the fashion show, take a look at the slideshow gallery on the Shopping & Style page, catch the enthusiasm of the event and mark your calendar for next year’s show.
